-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- It 's not easy taking over from one of the greatest managers in football history , but David Moyes has been assured that one trophy in his debut season at Manchester United will be considered a success .

So says his predecessor Alex Ferguson , a man who waited more than three years for his first silverware at Old Trafford before rewriting the record books .

United 's hopes of a 21st English title seem faint after Saturday 's 1-1 draw at home to Southampton , a result which left Moyes ' men eight points behind leader Arsenal after only eight matches .

However , Ferguson -- whose reign ended with a 13th Premier League crown last season -- urged fans to be patient after a difficult start to this campaign .

`` For David , winning a trophy would be a fantastic achievement , '' the 71-year-old told the club 's MUTV channel in an interview aired Saturday .

`` No matter what it is -- the League Cup , FA Cup , European Cup or Premier League . We 've always had priorities obviously , and David is aware of that , but I hope he achieves it .

`` He has great support at the club . The most important person in the club is the manager and that must always be sacrosanct . In fairness , the club have always stuck by that rigid belief . ''

Moyes , who did win the pre-season Community Shield match , was boosted ahead of the Southampton match when teen sensation Adnan Januzaj signed a new five-year contract .

The 18-year-old , who underlined his status before the international break as one of the game 's hottest young prospects with two goals in his first EPL start , was again to the fore as United dominated the first half .

Januzaj sent Wayne Rooney clear on goal and , although the England striker 's shot was saved by Artur Boruc , Robin van Persie fired home from the rebound .

Januzaj was also denied by Boruc , and another well-timed pass found Danny Welbeck -- but the forward could not set up Rooney for the second .

`` We have been trying to get him signed for quite a few months , not just in my time , '' Moyes said of the Brussels-born winger .

`` He 's an exceptionally talented player . He has not looked out of place in the team . He has created goals and been part of some of our best passing movements . ''

However , United 's defensive frailties were once again exposed as Adam Lallana diverted in a scrambled shot from Dejan Lovren in the 89th minute to deny Moyes successive wins for the first time since joining from Everton .

`` We should probably have put the game to bed earlier , '' Moyes said . `` We hit the bar and had a couple of other opportunities .

`` It was a mixed game at times , but we still had those chances that I was hoping we would finish off . ''

By contrast , Arsenal romped to a comprehensive 4-1 win at home to Norwich that put Arsene Wenger 's team two points clear of Chelsea and Liverpool .

Record signing Mesut Ozil scored twice after Jack Wilshere 's opener , and fellow midfielder Aaron Ramsey added his ninth goal in all competitions this season .

Chelsea came from behind to beat promoted Cardiff 4-1 , as former African player of the year Samuel Eto'o scored his first goal for the London side since joining from Russia 's Anzhi Makhachkala in August .

However , the Cameroon striker 's cheeky dispossession of David Marshall when the visiting keeper bounced the ball -- which allowed Eden Hazard to equalize with the first of his two goals -- left Cardiff boss Malky Mackay fuming .

`` I did go in to ask for clarification of the ruling and what the referee and linesman saw , '' he said .

`` The explanation leaves me really disappointed -- they felt the goalkeeper dropped the ball . My goalkeeper bounced the ball . He saw Samuel Eto'o standing next to him and he bounced the ball . ''

Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho refused to attend his press conference after being sent to the stands in the second half after protesting about Cardiff 's alleged time-wasting .

Eto'o had put Chelsea ahead by that stage , while Oscar and Hazard wrapped it up after Mourinho 's dugout exit .

Liverpool briefly went top after being held 2-2 by 10-man Newcastle in Saturday 's early match , with striker Daniel Sturridge heading a 72nd-minute equalizer .

The home side twice led , through Yohan Cabaye and Paul Dummett , despite having Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa sent off for a foul on Luis Suarez -- from which Steven Gerrard netted a penalty for Liverpool 's first leveler .

In the late match , Manchester City won away for the first time this season , beating West Ham 3-1 thanks to a double from Sergio Aguero to move above Southampton into fourth place .

Sixth-placed Everton joined Saints on 15 points with a 2-1 win at home to promoted Hull , while Swansea crushed Sunderland 4-0 to give new manager Gus Poyet a losing start to his tenure at the EPL 's bottom club , and there was a 0-0 stalemate between Stoke and West Brom .

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Manchester United eight points off EPL pace after drawing 1-1 at home to Southampton

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Alex Ferguson urges patience with his successor as manager , David Moyes

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Mesut Ozil scores twice as Arsenal takes two-point lead with 4-1 win over Norwich

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Jose Mourinho sent to stands as second-placed Chelsea wins by same score